One family’s Thanksgiving got off to a terrible start after police were called to their home on Bay View Avenue. A caller from inside the residence reported a domestic assault at 9:36 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 22, and Patrolmen Angelo Greco and Kevin Moran responded to the scene.

They entered the home and found an older man lying on his back on the kitchen floor. The man said his back hurt and he could not move. The officers called rescue to the scene.

While questioning family members inside the home, they learned that Neil J. Constancia, 32, of North Smithfield, had allegedly become angry after his grandfather told the grandson he could no longer use their car. Mr. Constancia allegedly ran from his bedroom and pushed his grandfather out of a kitchen chair.

Mr. Constancia told officers that his grandfather had fallen out of the chair, but they instructed him he was being placed under arrest. They placed him in handcuffs and were leading him through the kitchen, past Bristol Police Sgt. Brian Morse, when Mr. Constancia allegedly spat on Sgt. Morse and tried to head-butt him. Sgt. Morse and Patrolman Greco pushed the suspect against a wall until he calmed down, then led him to the back seat of a cruiser. He reportedly disobeyed commands and had to be forced into the cruiser.

Mr. Constancia was charged with with domestic assault and domestic assault on a person over 60, causing serious bodily injury, for his actions with his grandfather, and simple assault for his actions with Sgt. Morse.

Mr. Constancia was arraigned at the station and transported to the ACI at 1 p.m.